For second in time in days, Gazan rocket hits electricity line to Gaza

By SHARON UDASIN07/15/2014

Gazans have lost about 20% of their power supply; electric workers instructed not to make repairs until shooting ceases.

After rocket fire from Gaza hit a second power line that feeds electricity to Gaza on Tuesday evening, the Israel Electric Corporation instructed its workers to refrain from making repairs until the shooting ceases.

The IEC received orders from National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Minister Silvan Shalom to avoid endangering its employees to fix the downed line while Hamas continues to launch rockets from Gaza, the company said. The damage occurred at about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the IEC.

This is the second out of 10 high-voltage lines provided power to Gaza that the territory's own rockets have damaged in the past few days.

The first outage occurred on Sunday night, and also has yet to be repaired due to similar instructions from the government.

Because two out of the 10 lines provide electricity to Gaza are now down, Gazans have lost about 20% of their power supply.